PET GSR | PET EEG | PET EMG | PET ECG

The Personal Efficiency Trainer

INTRODUCTION

A central concept to the whole BraInquiry product line is the Personal Efficiency Trainer (PET). The PET can be regarded as a platform to which all other BraInquiry products interface. The PET records physiological activity simultaneous with audio and/or video and these data can be reviewed both in real time (feedback) and offline. For offline analysis we have developed highly flexible and easy to use software.

The PET is developed for a variety of uses.

The PET can be used as a stand alone - ambulant - psychophysiogical assessment device. Since the PET is capable of recording physiological activity simultaneous with audio (and video) it is possible to gain environmental information of what happened during the recording. In this way it is possible to perform whole day recordings and assess, for example, which events during a day are experienced as most stressful (e.g. specific social interactions, specific topics). This type of assessment can be helpful in a variety of (clinical) situations, e.g. treatment of phobia's, depression, anxiety and sports psychology.

The PET can also be used as a stand-alone feedback device. The PET is equipped with auditory and visual feedback. The assessed parameter can be directly fed back to the user in order to gain more control over this measure (e.g. self-regulation or GSR-feedback for relaxation or desensitization). Furthermore, by the embedded alarm functionality, the PET can also be programmed by a therapist to alarm users when they should perform their feedback sessions. The data from feedback session can automatically be saved in the PET, for later review and reporting by therapists.

The basic version of the PET is delivered as a GSR (Galvanic Skin Response) device, capable of measuring the relative stress response, which is a well established measure for arousal and stress. The PET records this activity simultaneous with audio and/or video and can be reviewed offline. Furthermore, the PET offers standalone GSR feedback for stress reduction training or stress and vigilance monitoring. The PET can also give an absolute indication of the GSR level in MOhms.

BraInquiry has also developed a - revolutionary new, easy-to-use and affordable way to measure high-quality EEG signals wirelessly. The EEG interface offered by BraInquiry consists of a headband which can be worn over the head. There is no need to prepare or abrade the skin before recording EEG. The (disposable) sensors are snapped on to the head band, and the EEG signals are sent to a receiver device wirelessly.

Our EEG unit can interface in two ways. Firstly, it can interface directly with our PET and provide - stand alone - (neuro-) feedback or record the EEG data synchronous with other physiological measures and audio (or optionally video). Secondly, the EEG unit can also be delivered with a PC or PDA receiver. In this way (neuro-) feedback or recording/storage of the EEG data takes place in the PC or PDA. If required, the EEG unit can also interface by USB instead of wireless.

Several software packages (PC software and PET embedded software) will become available for different purposes, e.g. additional EEG analysis software, memory/attention training, clinical protocols (ADHD, Depression) etc.

PET GSR retail pricing $1168.70; Wireless PET GSR $1850.

 

SOFTWARE

The PET will be delivered with PC software. In the future updates of both the PC software and the embedded PET software will be released on the download section of our website (www.brainquiry.nl). The embedded PET software to be released can be uploaded to the PET by USB and will be able to change the function of the PET. New feedback protocols, patches, functionality etc. can be added to the PET in this manner.

In the screenshot below one can see a screen shot of the PET software with a 7,5 hr. segment of GSR. In the following we will explain the software using GSR, but everything with respect to GSR also accounts for EEG (filtered or unfiltered) or any other physiological signal.

The software is very intuitive and offers high flexibility for reviewing the data saved in the PET. The bottom graph always shows the whole session recorded. This can be a 1hr. recording during a therapeutic session, but this can also be a 24 hr. recording for evaluating someone's experienced stress levels during a day. In the section in the right top one can see a zoomed section of GSR activity. By clicking or selecting a section in the bottom graph, one will see that section zoomed in the right top corner.

The data can also be played back. Especially if audio is recorded with the data. One could double click on a specific section (say, just before a big peak, in order to find out what triggered that response) in the bottom graph and then the data is played back from that point, with simultaneous audio playback and the actual GSR levels depicted in the right top.

With the software one can also program alarms, by which the user of the PET can be triggered on specific times/dates. Many more features will soon be added to the software, especially for new modalities such as EEG, HRC, EMG etc.

 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS BASIC PET WITH GSR

  • GSR recording: Range 1 KOhms to 10 MOhms; voltage used max. 4 V (2 kOhm impedance); sample frequency 100 Hz; resolution 10 bit max.
  • GSR is a relative measure established after a 20 second baseline.
  • Audio recording: Range 20-20.000 Hz
  • On board microphone and speaker
  • On board timer with alarm functionality (programmable with PET software)
  • Feedback: Auditory by variable pitch or custom wav file; Visual by 6 LEDs or real-time software.
  • Feedback resolution: Auditory: Visual:
  • Audio compression technique and ratio: ADPCM, 32 kbit/sec.
  • Memory type: Compact Flash
  • On board memory: 32 MB (standard), expendable to 512 MB (optional).
  • PC Interface: USB 1.1, 200 Kb/sec.
  • Power supply: Two alkaline AA batteries.
  • Power consumption: 20 mA
  • Battery life: Standby: 400 Hrs; recording 50 Hrs.
  • Video synchronization: By means of IrDa - infrared signal (IrDa receiver embedded in PET).
  • Inputs/Outputs: multifunctional 15 pin input/output connector and USB (PC interface)
  • Add-on module: The standard add-on module consists of a GSR sensor, audio out (mini jack) and microphone in (mini jack).

 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS EEG MODULE

  • This section specifies the functional specifications, all technical specifications can be communicated once our patent has been accepted.
  • Analog inputs: 3 active sensors (active, ground and reference).
  • Outputs: power for active electrodes
  • Sampling Frequency: Output rate 256 Hz .
  • Type: DC amplifier
  • A/D resolution: Minimal 8 bits signal resolution (peak-to-peak)
  • Channel bandwidth: 1-55 Hz (US); 1-45 Hz (Europe)
  • CMRR: 120 dB
  • Signal resolution: 0,2 microvolts
  • Input noise: approximately 2 microvolts peak-to-peak
  • Interface: Universal Serial Bus (USB) or wireless
  • Supported electrodes:
    • Active electrodes
    • Currently developing methods for using 'normal' electrodes.
  • Quality control of electrode application:
    • In case of passive electrodes: measurement of contact impedance
    • Constant monitoring of connection during acquisition
  • Isolation: Data channels will be sufficiently isolated.
  • Power supply and energy consumption: Power supply by 2 batteries. Battery life at least 100 hrs. in active mode for EEG quantification unit. Battery life for active electrodes dependent on type of active electrodes.

Download PET Manual

 

PET GSR | PET EEG | PET EMG | PET ECG